The Walther PPK (Polizei Pistole Kriminal) was produced since 1930. It was developed for a hidden carriage. The engineers from Walther reduced the length, width and weight. The main difference to the PP is the frame with no back strap. this function was integrated in a single molded Grip. Also the grip was shortened, so the clip has only a capacity of 7 rounds. The shortness was balanced with a magazine-shoe on the bottom.
The PPK and the PP were also produced very successfully after war. Even James Bond had an Walther PPK.
Technical data:
In the 1960s, Walther produced the PPK-L, which was a light-weight variant of the PPK. The PPK-L differed from the standard, all steel PPK in that it had an aluminium alloy frame. These were only chambered in 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) and.22 LR because of the increase in felt recoil from the lighter weight of the gun. Walther's Patent Cal 7,65 m/m. Finish: high polished Finish, blued: Grips: one piece chequered Bakelit with Walther-banner, black: Serial number: 6-digits number with suffix 'K' right on frame. 6-digits number with suffix 'K' right on slide. 6-digits number on magazine spine with additional 2 (spare magazine). Walther PPK, SS-issued (K suffix w/ Matching Mag) RHSA Nazi WW2 Description: This rare RHSA/SS issued PPK came in from an old collection. It is in about 97% condition, with one factory-original, matching, spine-numbered magazine. This example is the very desirable “K suffix”, Type 5 variant, which was produced in mid 1940.
| Caliber: | 7.65 mm |
| Function: | Blowback; hammer outside; slide catch, double-action |
| Barrel length: | 84 mm |
| Weight: | 580 g |
| Magazine capacity: | 7 rounds |
Production datas (for Wehrmacht only):
Company: | Waffenfabrik Walther |
Location: | Zella-Mehlis (Thüringen) |
Period: | 1940 - 1945 |
Amount: | 26.000 |
Serial numbers: | 270100K - 424619K |
Walther Ppk Serial Numbers A Suffix List
The Walther PPK for the Wehrmacht was split in 3 major variations, according to the army acceptance and finish.
1st Variation (Highpolish-Finish with Army Acceptance E/359; approx. 3.500 pieces)
Characteristics:
Legend: | Walther-Banner Waffenfabrik Walther Zella Mehlis (Thür) Walther's Patent Cal 7,65 m/m Mod. PPK |
| Finish: | high polished Finish, blued |
| Grips: | one piece chequered Bakelit with Walther-banner, brown |
| Serial number: | 6-digits number with suffix 'K' right on frame 3-digits scratched inside of slide |
| Acceptance stamp: | E/359 left on frame E/359 left on slide |
| Test proof stamp: | E/N right on chamber E/N right on slide below ejection port E/N on barrel near muzzle |
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- Walther PP 32 Serial # and/or date code Discussion in 'Curio & Relic Zone' started by YamahaWR200. I have a Walther PP 32acp made in France. The Mahurin factory as you probably already know. Anyway I cannot find any date codes or anything on the gun. The serial number parallel to the grip on the right hand side is 15950 I believe.
- The approximate range of serial numbers for Walther PP's produced during the war(1939-1945) are 155501P to 3906xxP. Your serial number with the ac (Walther mfg code) falls in the late war, 1945 production period.
- If you have any trouble locating the serial number for any reason, you can bring the gun into your local gun shop for help. Pick up a copy of either E.J. Hoffschmidt's 'Know Your Walther PP & PPK' or Gene Gangarosa's 'The Walther Handgun Story: A Collector's and Shooter's Guide.' Either one of these books will contain an index of serial numbers for Walther guns.
Some PP's have a second serial number on the right side of the slide, forward of the ejection port. Additionally some pistols were shipped with two magazines serial numbered to the gun. Walther factory markings were generally found on the left side of the slide.
Walther Serial Number Lookup
Walther Ppk Serial Numbers K Suffix
Serial numbering for the PP pistol started at #75,000 (1929)
PPK production started shortly after that (maybe late 31 or '32) and used the same serial number range as the PP model.
When ser#'s reached 1,000,000 for each Model,the numbers were started over again at the 100,000,plus the addition of a 'P' suffix on the PP and a 'K' suffix on the PPK.
(A few thousand run of PPk's were ser#'d with so called 7 digit numbers (million series),no suffix letter. There's always an exception isn't there.
I don't have a ser# chart handy,it's some where in the stack. But I'd agree that with the ser# (assuming it does or SHOULD have the 'K' suffix ,1940 or 41 would be a good guess.
The high polish blue and fine fit and overall finish was still in order at that time. It wasn't long after that shortcuts started to show but they were gradual at first.
Commercial proofs would be in order. At about that time the German Gov't proof mark was being changed to the Eagle/N for nitro proof.
4/1/40 was the date that the old German Crown/N nitroproof mark was elliminated and replaced with the Eagle/N.
That can help date the pistol to either side of that date. But realize that changes didn't happen overnight, on time or in any
perfect order.
Another mark to look for if not a German Military issue weapon (no WaffenAmpt),would be possible German Police Issue.
A tiny Eagle/L or Eagle/C marking is all there was. Sometimes on the frame on the left side right under the mag release,or in that area.
May also be on the slide, on the right side usually.
Any of the proof, Military issue or (Nazi) Police markings would be marked/stamped thru the original finish,not before it was blued.
Check the magazine to see if it is perhaps #'d to the pistol.
On the finger extension, the serial number was often pantograph engraved into that extension. Sometimes stamped into the mag body on either side or even the spine of the mag.
Not a lot of hard and fast rules however!
I'll see if I can find that list.
(I've got that book, but I don't recall a ser# chart in it,unless it was an addendum page and I lost it. I'll check it anyway)
Added.
I found a listing of ser#'s from the old Walther board. I think it's been published in a book so I won't post it.
It says PPK mfg in 1940 as betw ser#'s 262,xxx and 307,2xx (all with a suffix K)
Any production year/ser# lists for the PPk and PP are based on old records outside of Factory production records, those no longer exist AFAIK. In other words they are an educated guess, but in most cases fairly accurate.
Hope this helps,